Children Diving

[Sam A]

I am doing a project on why children shouldn't scuba dive, are there any sites or anything that you can reccommend for me. I would really like some research on the topic if possible.

 

[MonkSeal]

I am doing a project on why children shouldn't scuba dive, are there any sites or anything that you can reccommend for me. I would really like some research on the topic if possible.

This question was raised few times here. AFAIK children can dive within their limits (depth, adult supervision) defined by their age. You can check actual recommendations at different agencies (PADI, SSI) for their junior programs.

 

[dennisg]

Sam,

Send me a quick email so that I can pick up your address and I'll attach and return you a pile of documents I've got on my system on the great age debate.

My email is dennis@dgainternational.co.uk

kind regards

Dennis

 

[mania]

Here is some info:
http://www.divernet.com/technique/0601kids.htm
and this one:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lpt/kids.htm
And if I remember well DocVic once wrote in Sep '01 "Undercurrent" a piece titled "The Minds and Bodies of Children - are they really suited to scuba?" so you should be able to find the whole article - I don't want to copy it here because it's a long one.
Mania
PS. I'm absolutly against diving for children below 16 years. First are the medical reasons and second - mental. Childern are irrisponsible and don't have proper imagination. They do have problems with connecting effects with causes, etc.

 

[Frank Kohler]

I am doing a project on why children shouldn't scuba dive, are there any sites or anything that you can reccommend for me. I would really like some research on the topic if possible.

I, myself I think children should be able to dive for a couple of different reasons. The first reason that I think that they should be able to dive is that it teaches them to be responsible. I am by no means saying let them figure there decompression times out by themselves, but to let them to some stuff will the parent watch's. A little point for the parents to, if the children dive you can use that to get them to do better in school. Just tell them you know you don’t do well in school and there will be no diving. The next reason I have for letting kids dive is that it gets them out of the house. It is very easy now a days for kids to get stuck in there house I mean with the computer and TV and thing's like that, diving could get a kid to go out side and get some kind of work out. the last reason I have for letting kids dive is that I mean how many time in a kids childhood is he going to be able to see all the cool fish face to face. Yaw I know he could go to an aquarium, but it’s not the same as being in the water with the fish. You will being give the kid something to remember the rest of his life and something to tell his/her kids about and be like I did that when I was your age. That is why I think kids should be able to dive.

 

[DocVikingo]

As yours is an inquiry of a medical nature and extends well beyond "the scientific aspects of decompression," the stated focus of the Ask Dr Decompression forum, I have taken the liberty of moving it the Diving Medicine forum.

There are no cut & dried answers to this question, but you might find the following article a good orientation:

"The Minds and Bodies of Children -- are they really suited to scuba?"

This has been posted here several times in the past. For example, you can find it as post #6 in the following thread--->

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9152

You'll also find it, plus several other articles on the topic, on Scubadoc's website under "Diving Teens" http://www.scuba-doc.com/teens.htm . The peice by Dr. Larry Taylor, while a bit chaotic and satiric, is quite good.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[DocVikingo]

Scuba diving well may teach children responsiblity, get them out of the house, and expose them to marine life up close & personal.

However, these potential benefits do not circumvent the very real medical & developmental issues involved.

Anything that you can contribute on those topics would likely add to Sam's research in a meaningful way.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Frank Kohler]

Scuba diving well may teach children responsiblity, get them out of the house, and expose them to marine life up close & personal.

However, these potential benefits do not circumvent the very real medical & developmental issues involved.

Anything that you can contribute on those topics would likely add to Sam's research in a meaningful way.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

I believe I addressed those issue in there as well. The developmental aspect of it is that kid's see a world other then the one on land they can see that there is this amazing world under the water waiting to be explored, and maybe just maybe this would push one of them to help save Marian life. the medical part of it is that you get a little work out diving not much mind you but still a little one. all of things i did say in my post but one is more in-depth.

 

[UWSojourner]

... maybe this would push one of them [kids] to help save Marian life.

Now there's a statement worthy of Underdog!

Thanks, for the references. I have 4 kids ( 1 diving at age 15 ) so this info is much appreciated.

 

[Diver0001]

I am doing a project on why children shouldn't scuba dive, are there any sites or anything that you can reccommend for me. I would really like some research on the topic if possible.

You have your conclusion ready before you start with your research? Wow.

I'll give you one point to get you going. Children are hard for marine predators to digest.

And don't forget to submit your article to Rodales. They'd like you.

R..